SAM Collier has demanded a “massive improvement” from his Shrivenham Town players as they look to bounce back from Tuesday’s embarrassing 6-1 hammering at Reading Town when they host Holyport this weekend.

Second-from-bottom Shrivenham were all at sea in midweek and produced what Collier has labelled their worst performance of the season.

Things are starting to look bleak for Shrivvy in the Premier Division as they are five points adrift of, third from bottom, Brimscombe & Thrupp immediately above them and have played six games more.

Collier is refusing to give up on survival but left his players in no uncertain terms that he expects much better than what he saw last time out.

“We need a massive improvement and a big response,” said Collier.

“What we witnessed on Tuesday was nothing short of appalling. We can’t give any excuses. It was the worst I’ve seen this season.

“That performance was not acceptable – we were a long way off what we expect.

“We’ve lost a lot of games this year but that is the first time we’ve had a good tonking.

“We have to keep chugging away and trying to get as many points as we can. I won’t give up until it’s mathematically impossible for us to stay in this league.

“We’ve just got to keep fighting but unfortunately maybe eight or nine players didn’t do that on Tuesday.”

Shrivvy have plenty of motivation ahead of tomorrow’s game as not only do they have a point to prove from the midweek humiliation, they are also out to avenge a 1-0 loss at Holyport back in October.

Adam Corcoran will miss the match through suspension, while John Rees and Sam Packer are set to be ruled out through injury.

Collier added: “We were very unlucky when we went there earlier in the season.

“The game was pretty even but they scored a freak goal from something like 50 yards.”

In Division One, Swindon New College face a trip to Hook Norton.

Fairford Town and Purton are both in Bluefin Sports Challenge Cup action and are at home to Abingdon United and away at Easington Sports respectively.